Ransome, A., 1930, Swallows and Amazons Red Fox, London ------------------- Kuroyanagi,T., 1999, Totto-chan The Little Girl at the Window, Tokyo Prediction
I'm not completely sure what this book is about, but I am assuming that it is about a group of kids who go on a boat
and go camping on a nearby island and have many adventures.
Description
Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that
sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for a part of the summer holidays.
Questions:
Classic – Title: Swallows and Amazons-Author: Arthur Ransome
Modern – Title:Totto-chan-Author: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
1. Describe the time and place in which your novel is set. What clues within the book tell us this?
I think it's set in the 1930's in Australia.
The setting is in the 1980's in Tokyo.
2. Who are the main characters in your book? List the names and a short description of their personality traits.
Roger- He likes ships and is kind of adventurous. He is Titty's brother.
Titty- A little girl who is kind of smart. She names most of the places they go to. Is Roger's sister
John- Is the captain of their sailboat called Swallow. Is Titty's and Roger's elder brother. He knows alot about ships.
Susan- Is good at cooking probably thr most responsible out of the four siblings (plus Vicky). Is John's sister.
The main character is Totto-chan. Totto-chan is a sweet bubbly little girl full of curiosity. This book is a true story of her life.
Another character is Totto-chan's mother. Totto-chan's mother is always looking out for Totto-chan. However her feelings are only mainly mentioned in the first few chapters.
3. Describe the significant relationships between the main characters.
John is the captain of the ship so he is like a leader to everyone. Rodger is the second youngest of the four and is always being looked after. Titty usually plays with rodger alot and is the "able seaman" of the group. Susun is the cook and looks after the other 3 of them. Vicky a.k.a Fat Vicky is the youngest and is hardly mentioned ( because she is a baby and only gets looked after) (she is not included in the four).
One of the significant relationships is between Totto-chan and her friend Yasuaki-chan. Totto-chan often plays with Yasuaki-chan and helps him alot because he's got Polio. But later on he dies.
Another significant relationship is between Totto-chan and her mother. Totto-chan is always changing her ambitions so her mother is always used to hearing them. Totto-chan's mother is always loving towards Totto-chan. So much that sometimes she hides particular things from her, such as why she had to leave her old school.
4. Who is your favourite character and why? Or - Who is the character that you can most closely relate to and why?
My favourite character is Susan. She is my favourite character because she is mature and can cook really well. She also looks after everyone. She is also kind of funny.
My favourite character is Totto-chan. Mainly because the things that she does are kind of funny and it's interesting to read about what she thinks about everything. I can also relate to her quite a bit. Like that feeling you get when you do something really stupid when your little and regret it when your older.
5. Describe the style of language and literary devices that the author uses. a) Find examples of; colourful adjectives, similes, metaphor, dramatic irony, etc..b) Find a quote (with page number) for each example.
The authors style of language is kind of old. He uses pirate slang alot and some of the words are just plain old fashioned.
I don't think that this book has a particular style of language. Because it was originally in Japanese and it got translated. But there is some japanese words there. Maybe before it got translated it had some japanese slang in it.
6. Is your book an example of ‘classic’ or ‘modern’ literature? You must use evidence to back up your stance. For example; has your book stood the ‘test of time’? Are there theme’s that will transcend time?
This book is a classic. Yes, it has passed the test of time. However i don't think they'll ever be themes that'll be able to last long. Because people mostly like to read things that they can relate to.
I think the book 'Totto-chan', is an example of modern literature. Because its mostly about school and some problems that can occur with it. It is also a true story about Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's life. I think this book will eventually become a classic (probably). Because I enjoy reading it and I can read it again and still enjoy it.
7. After reading the book, write a short note to a friend describing the book. Include a description of the genre, setting and difficulty level. You need to also include the following information; What were the main themes in the book? What was the central conflict? How was it resolved? Describe your feelings towards the novel.
Did you enjoy it, why or why not?Did you find it easy to get into? Did you like it the more that you read it?Would you read more books by the same author, or of a similar genre?
I think the book is about average difficulty. I think that it's an adventure book and the setting is actually somewhere in america...... The central conflict was Amazon and Swallows vs. Captain Flint. However the Amzons and Swallows would also fight sometimes. I enjoyed the book very much. It was easy to understand the story. I liked it the more I read it because it got more interesting as the story went on. I would read books the same genre but maybe not the same author.
I enjoyed the novel because it's kind of funny and kind of childish. I like childish book better than serious book. I found it easy to get into the story because the story is realistic (because it's true story). It's also easy to relate to Totto-chan's feelings. I liked it the more I read it because as the story goes on you get to know Totto-chan more and can see what kind of person she is. I would read books by the same author because I like the style that she writes in and her way of describing things. Totto-chan does some really dumb things sometimes. Like, one time she accidently dropped her wallet down the toilet when she stared down the toilet bowl. But she can also be mature for her age too because at another time she accidently got her ear bitten off by her dog while they were playing. However when she started crying it was because she thought her mum was going to take the dog away because it bit her ear off. I think this book should be for 10+ because those under that age might not really like the book.
Prediction
I'm not completely sure what this book is about, but I am assuming that it is about a group of kids who go on a boat
and go camping on a nearby island and have many adventures.
Description
Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that
sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for a part of the summer holidays.
Titty- A little girl who is kind of smart. She names most of the places they go to. Is Roger's sister
John- Is the captain of their sailboat called Swallow. Is Titty's and Roger's elder brother. He knows alot about ships.
Susan- Is good at cooking probably thr most responsible out of the four siblings (plus Vicky). Is John's sister.
Another character is Totto-chan's mother. Totto-chan's mother is always looking out for Totto-chan. However her feelings are only mainly mentioned in the first few chapters.
Another significant relationship is between Totto-chan and her mother. Totto-chan is always changing her ambitions so her mother is always used to hearing them. Totto-chan's mother is always loving towards Totto-chan. So much that sometimes she hides particular things from her, such as why she had to leave her old school.
a) Find examples of; colourful adjectives, similes, metaphor, dramatic irony, etc..b) Find a quote (with page number) for each example.
Describe your feelings towards the novel.
Did you enjoy it, why or why not?Did you find it easy to get into? Did you like it the more that you read it?Would you read more books by the same author, or of a similar genre?
1. http://www.arthur-ransome.org/ar/biography
2. http://www.bookrags.com/biography/arthur-michell-ransome-dlb/